Disney’s Into the Woods is the film version of the musical by Stephen Sondheim that brings together the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, adding a twist to each. Each character’s story resembles more closely the original darker tale rather than the more familiar Disney version. The Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) are cursed by the Witch (Meryl Streep) next door. In order to lift the curse, they have to get “the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, the slipper as pure as gold” from the different characters that are brought together in the woods.

Sounds easy? It’s not.

In addition to the Baker and his wife searching for these items, princes are in agony, an angry giant comes down and wrecks the entire town, and the Witch is trying to keep Rapunzel “safe” in her tower.

Fans who are familiar with the original musical of Into The Woods are pleased with the movie version. Viewers like me, who have not seen the musical or watched the movie without knowing the plot in advance, did not appreciate the film as much.

Disney is known for making fairy tales happier and more suitable for children. In the animated Disney Cinderella has a pleasantly plump fairy godmother and little mice that help her with her chores. However, Into the Woods reveals the darker side of the story. For example, Cinderella weeps at her dead mother’s grave, which waters a twig that flourishes into a tree. Her mother’s spirit grants Cinderella’s every wish. Also, Cinderella is not sure she would like to marry a prince. And–spoiler alert–the step-sisters end with parts of their feet missing.

I doubt little girls will dream of being these princesses after seeing Into the Woods. There are no happily-ever-afters.

Overall, the movie is categorized as a family movie, PG for thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material.

Meryl Streep’s great performance as the Witch overshadows Johnny Depp’s brief performance as the Wolf. The sexual implications of the Wolf’s behavior in the Grimm’s Red Riding Hood are much more obvious in the movie. Red Riding Hood, portrayed by Lila Crawford, is creepy and disturbing because of her faked innocence. Of all of the characters, she is my least favorite. Other than that, the most noteworthy performance is by Anna Kendrick who gives Cinderella a more realistic appearance, compared to typical blonde, bubbly Cinderellas in most movies.

The structure of the movie made the beginning enjoyable and easy to follow. However, towards the end, the movie became dry and boring. The second half of the musical, when the characters have to deal with the giant, is a sleeper.

This one was meant to stay a musical. I’m glad I went “into the woods,” but I was even happier to get out.